Are Sports Betting Ads Driving You Mad? You’re Not Alone

A nationwide poll in the UK has discovered that the majority of the British population favors a complete ban on gambling advertisements. Along with that, almost three quarters of UK citizens want the existing restrictions on advertisements to be stricter. The 12,000 strong survey project has been cited by the UK’s Royal Society of Public Health (RSPH) in its call to reduce the number of media advertising campaigns by the gambling industry. 

Restrictions Find Support from Citizens, RSPH

Christina Marriot, the RSPH’s chief executive opined that gambling addiction is not unlike the craze for tobacco. Hence, gambling advertising campaigns should be restricted with immediate effect to safeguard families and workplace culture. 

The RSPH also linked ads to problem gambling. Marriott’s views reflect the opinions of almost two-thirds of adults who support banning the telecast of gambling ads before 9 P.M. on radio and T.V. in a YouGov survey report. People are also keen to regulate the ads on online portals and social media. 

The YouGov research forms a part of a broader survey by ASH, an anti-smoking group. While there was strong support for banning gambling ads irrespective of time or medium, 14% of adults still opposed the strictures on advertisements. 

Most of these gambling ads are sports betting ads but it is not just limited to sports bets. This is because it’s not just sports betting ads that fill the advertising space, if it’s not one of the bookmakers, it’s one of the UK no deposit casinos. A ban on gambling ads in media would be another preventive measure that allies with the recent government policies to ban junk food ads on TV, radio, and the web before 9 P.M. 

Government Keen on Ad Ban Across Media

Apart from a possible crackdown on broadcast and online commercials, the government is on the verge of banning gambling ads appearing on English Premier League (EPL) player jerseys. The move might put almost $80 million worth of gambling company-sports league deals in peril.

The UK is trying to emulate ad curbs in Italy and Spain. If the overreaching ban proposal is approved, the gambling ad scenario might see a drastic shift in the market post-2023.

Labour MP Carolyn Harris, who leads a group investigating gambling harm across parties, confirmed parliamentary support for the ban.

BGC Reiterates Policy to Protect Minors

The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) reiterated its commitment to gaming regulations in 2020 to protect minors from problem gambling. BGC members had to ensure that iGaming websites would provide solid evidence on their age-appropriate ad campaigns. The rules direct the websites to only target the population over 25. 

Currently, the gambling industry obeys a voluntary code where they do not advertise during live sports broadcasts and not more than 5 minutes in a game or a race. A BGC spokesperson added that the voluntary ban had decreased ads during the Euro 2020 football tournament. Moreover, the gambling industry has encouraged safer ads and prohibited minor viewers from viewing ads on the internet and social media.

The government is yet to comment on the BGC’s stance.

CAGA Favours Ad Ban in Wales

Wales-based Coalition Against Gambling Ads (CAGA) visited the Senedd to advocate proactive measures to protect children and gambling addicts from ads. The Welsh government also acknowledged that gambling addiction is a noted public health concern. However, it cannot pass legislation on gambling ads due to its limited sphere of influence. 

The CAGA cited that almost 55,000 British minors are problem gambling addicts. CAGA director Matt Zarb-Cousin advocated a curb on unnecessary triggers which might entice adults and children to gamble. He also emphasized a safe and regulated gambling scene, avoiding direct comment on the complete ban.

Ex-gambling addicts like CAGA member Nick Phillips are concerned about the effects of problem gambling on children. The Swansea inhabitant seeks a complete ban on gambling ads as he holds them responsible for relapses in addicts and encouraging addictive tendencies in society.

Swansea East M.P., Carolyn Harris also acknowledged that moral responsibility calls for countering rampant gambling addiction to protect vulnerable sections from a downward spiral. Harris called out for the need to establish NHS-funded treatment centers to aid problem gambling addicts in their recovery. She also emphasized school projects to sensitize children about gambling harms early on. 

The Welsh government had also spoken about a group that would discover new avenues to aid affected sections of the population. Moreover, it was eager to research more on the prospect of a dedicated NHS gambling service for the region. The government further expressed its hope that the UK government would review its ad curb policies.

Hopes Alive from Upcoming White Paper

Currently, the hopes for a gambling ad ban are alive after the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) dished out an update on its upcoming White Paper at a charity’s annual conference. The White Paper would review the 2005 Gambling Act that was expected to eliminate gambling harm.

Charities, individuals, and stakeholders in the gambling industry are eagerly waiting for what the White Paper might offer regarding policies on problem gambling.